The Luxury Crossover from Lexus the LBX.

Is the Lexus LBX a luxury SUV? The Japanese marque labels the model as a Crossover with LBX, meaning Lexus Breakthrough Crossover. Jeremy Webb discovered that it is a compact and luxurious car while he was lollygagging carefree on the country lanes of the Surrey Hills.

Lexus has made a bold move, making the LBX a small car (compact), as the trend for over a decade has been big is better. The vehicle is a Crossover, so it's part SUV and part saloon car, and the Japanese company believes there is a market for a luxury model in this sector.

The Lexus LBX is a 1.5l full hybrid, and this is the only powertrain with the car usually configured as front-wheel drive unless a small motor attached to the rear axle is engaged, turning the LBX into an all-wheel drive. However, AWD is an option that costs £1300 and is only available in two premium trims.

The Lexus LBX's hybrid aspect is the electric motor, which produces 96bhp. The vehicle has a one-kWh bipolar battery to supply the motor. Lexus states that this is much better for rapid charging and discharge demands.

The interior of the Lexus LBX is sumptuous, and quality materials are used, including soft-touch synthetic leather, which is stylish. You get a 9.8-inch touchscreen display to control the entertainment and some vehicle settings. Lexus maintains buttons that allow you to control some features, including Driving Modes, Temperature, and Auto Hold. It holds up so well that it excels more expensive rivals like the Mercedes GLA and the sublime Cupra Formentor.

The internal space is limited, but you should know this if you want to purchase one. The driver and front passenger don’t exactly bump arms, but there is a lack of passenger room. If you are over six feet tall and the driver, you will probably have to push the seat back, which encroaches on the rear, meaning only a child can occupy the seat. Despite the LBX’s size, the space in the boot is good, so shopping, a pushchair, sports kit and smaller luggage can be accommodated.

The technology in the Lexus LBX is frustrating and lacks ease of use. The main grievance is the Touch Trace buttons on the steering wheel. They are available on Premium Plus and above, but they are clumsy to operate, taking away from the quality feel of the vehicle. The buttons are not responsive and usually require several presses to engage. Another gripe is the procedure when you want Apple CarPlay or Android Auto because you have to agree or disagree with the terms and conditions before operation.

The performance will not shove you back in your seat when you put your foot down, but you are not buying this type of motor to rag around tracks or town roundabouts.

The 1.5l, three-cylinder engine does what it needs to, and if driven in a relaxed manner, it is quiet in Eco mode; this should be your style if you do want to shift a bit more rapidly than the Lexus LBX can when you press the pedal hard.

The only downside is that if you accelerate hard in about three consecutive situations, the battery drains quickly and can not regenerate energy to aid performance.

The Lexus LBX has a smooth, relaxing, and economical powertrain, and the ride is what you would expect of a more expensive luxury vehicle. The handling is more than acceptable, and you can push on through bends at a pace to provide yourself with some enjoying driving.

“Frustrating to use, the infotainment system should be so much better in a luxury car.”

Lexus has produced a vehicle with comfortable, padded, and supportive seats, and the lumbar support can be adjusted. The driving position is lower than an SUV but higher than a sportscar, and you get a good all-around view.

The Lexus LBX starts at £29,995, rising to £35,605 for a mid-spec Premium Plus Design and £40,005 for the range-topping Original Edition. Quite a bit of cash for a small car, but it is grander than the larger close competition with the Mercedes GLA more money, as is the Cupra Formentor. The DS 3 and Peugeot 2008 costs a tad less.

The Lexus LBX has a proven hybrid drivetrain that is economical. It delivered around 53mpg on our journeys, which involved higher speeds than average, so owners can expect higher figures.

It can be a versatile, practical vehicle within the limits of its size and comes into its own when in urban environments. Parking is stress-free, and you can get passengers in with some luggage, shopping, or DIY.

If you are looking for a smaller car that feels luxurious both inside and out, has sound reliability and practicality from its size, and is economical, then leap into a Lexus dealer.

Lexus LBX Crossover

From £29,995.00

Lexus models come with only a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, but a year and 10,000 miles are added with every service, up to 10 years and 100,000 miles.